From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. I am happy to report that I am making progress in the Weed War in my garden now that the weather is cooperating. Today I am thrilled to welcome a popular Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell variations author to Austenprose.... Continue Reading →
A Timely Elopement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Joana Starnes — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: For a Pride and Prejudice enthusiast, there is nothing quite like an unusually talkative and passionate Mr. Darcy to pique one’s interest. And it becomes particularly intriguing when the story is told almost exclusively from his perspective. Ironically, it is perhaps his most blundering speech that is mercifully interrupted... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of So This Is Love: An Austen-Inspired Regency, by Laura Hile
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: I am so happy to welcome author Laura Hile back to Austenprose today. Laura is the writer of several Jane Austen-inspired novels and short stories, notably the Mercy’s Embrace trilogy featuring none other than the peevish Miss Elizabeth Elliot from Persuasion, and her humorous fantasy, Darcy by Any... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of Rebellion at Longbourn: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Victoria Kincaid
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â Hello Dear Readers, I am happy to welcome bestselling Austenesque author Victoria Kincaid to Austenprose today to share her fifteenth Pride and Prejudice variation, Rebellion at Longbourn. Variations have become the driving force in Jane Austen fiction for several years now. The creativity of the authors who imagine... Continue Reading →
Being Mrs Darcy, by Lucy Marin — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: In Regency-era novels, which are popular for their promotion of proper behavior and swoon-worthy romantic declarations, forced-marriage tropes spice up the angst and the inevitable, slow-burn romances that result. It is satisfying to read of gentlemen doing the right thing, marrying not for love but as their duty... Continue Reading →
Fortune & Felicity: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Monica Fairview — A Review
From the desk of Debbie Brown: Hunsford Parsonage is a popular jumping-off spot for Pride and Prejudice variations. This is when Mr. Darcy makes his ill-phrased marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, is soundly refused, and presents her with a letter the following morning to defend himself against her accusations. It’s the seminal event of the... Continue Reading →
The Rogue’s Widow: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Nicole Clarkston—A Review
From the desk of Debbie Brown: It’s become obvious to me that Nicole Clarkston loves messing with her readers’ heads in the opening chapter of her books. She starts off in one direction, apparently setting the stage for one kind of story, and then unexpectedly careens off into previously unexplored territory. The Rogue’s Widow, her... Continue Reading →
The Other Bennet Sister: A Novel, by Janice Hadlow—A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: The oft-forgotten of the five Bennet sisters who may have been a reader’s source of amusement or irritation, engendered pity or magnanimous sympathy comes endearingly alive in Janice Hadlow’s gentle opus to Mary, the other sister who must follow a very different path to happiness. The Other Bennet Sister... Continue Reading →
Two More Days at Netherfield, by Heather Moll—A Review
From the desk of Debbie Brown: Everybody familiar with the classic story of Pride and Prejudice knows that Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy don’t communicate to each other with total honestly until their meeting at Hunsford during his (horrible) marriage proposal, which he continues in his letter the following day. But what if circumstances lead... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of When Duty Calls: A Pride & Prejudice Variation, by Belén Paccagnella
Being a book geek, I am not ashamed to say that I get chills when I see a beautiful book cover. I am drawn to them like a moth to the flame. The mesmerizing design of When Duty Calls is by Janet Taylor. It is her best to date. Bar none. Forgive this indulgence. I... Continue Reading →
Elizabeth: Obstinate Headstrong Girl (The Quill Collective Book 5), edited by Christina Boyd — A Review
From the desk of Debbie Brown: The Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF) world has been exploding with stories about Elizabeth Bennet for a long time now. What can possibly be left to explore about this beloved Pride and Prejudice character and her Mr. Darcy? Ten talented storytellers prove they can always find new ground to... Continue Reading →
Thaw, by Anniina Sjöblom — A Review
Epistolary novels were all the rage in the late eighteenth century prior to and during Jane Austen’s early writing career. One does not run across novels written in letters very often today. The fact that characters do not meet face-to-face is restrictive and can be a challenge to readers. Thaw, by Anniina Sjöblom harkens back... Continue Reading →